Shraman Bhagvana Mahavira Part 4

Author(s): Ratnaprabhvijay, D P Thaker
Publisher: Parimal Publication

Page 94

:70: Jinabhadra Gaņi's
[ The third of yogas were completely taught in that way, saving thereby all the sādhus from the interruptions of time etc. by virtue of divine power. Finally, while going to heaven, after leaving the human body, he said to the sādhus “ A-samyata (unrestrained) as I happen to be, I made you, who happen to be of high moral character, bow to me. Please pardon me for that act of mine. On the other day, I happened to meet with death and pass away to the heavenly regions, from where I condescended to come here out of sympathy for you and taught you all the practices of yoga.” Having said so, he returned to his heavenly abode after being pardoned.
After his departure, sitting around his borly, the sādhus began to think like this:- “Ohi an a-samyata (unrestrained ) deity has been respected for a long time. The same could be doubted in the case of others as well. For, who knows whether one is samyata or a-samyata? It is better, therefore, not to respect any body. By respecting an unrestrained deity, we would become liars.” Consequently, short-witted as they were, all the sādhus resorted to indiscretion and did not even bow to each other as sādhus.
Then, some of the old and wise sthaviras tried to explain them the right thing. The following conversation took place between them and the Nihnavas.
. STHAVIRAS:-If you entertain such a doubt with regard to each and every one in this world, then, why not doubt the asceticism of the deity himself, when he introduced himself as a deity to you?
Nihnavas :-There is no doubt about his being a deva, firstly because, he himself said that “I am a deity” and secondly because he was directly perceived as a deva.
Sthaviras :-The same will be the case with sādhus also. Those who say that, “ We are sādhus ” and those who are recognized as sādhus directly from their appearance, should also